Israel hezbollah and cysop

Hezballah, Israel, and Cyber PSYOP By Timothy L. Thomas Editorial Abstract: The author analyzes the evolving phenomenon of cyber psychological operations, examining their application in the recent Israeli campaign against Hezballah. He describes CYOP forms and contents, and how these capabilities enhance both insurgent and friendly influence operations. Introduction P arties on both sides of the recent fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon have used cyber technologies to their advantage. Of course, this is nothing new. Tanks, planes, and soldiers have been uploaded with a host of cyber/ information technologies for the past two decades at least. These technologies have increased the precision and lethality of weaponry, the situational awareness of the soldier, and the overall efficiency of operations. However, an evolving cyber phenomenon is underway: the concept of cyber psychological operations (CYOP, pronounced “PSYOP”)—which are cyber operations (those that use the computer chip) that aim to directly attack and influence the attitudes and behaviors of soldiers and the general population. While armies continue to compete in digital battlespace, local populations are now caught up in digital influence space battles. As a result armies can no longer stand between an enemy and the public as they once did. CYOP is also awash with “unintended consequences,” since we are only now starting to understand what degree of influence, persuasion, deception, and mobilization the cyber environment offers. For example, mobile (cell) phones became “tools for citizen journalism” in Lebanon since they provided people the capability to transmit audio, video and photographs by short message service. Such contributions from “the street” carry their own form of psychological persuasion. CYOP is characterized by speed, precision, and creativity. Speed is recognized due to the quickness of the message-response mechanism. An incident happens and is reported on the The physical battlespace. (Univ. of Texas/BBC) Internet, or via cell phone or video messaging, before legitimate news services can adjudicate its authenticity. Notably, these message have infinite— yet precise—reach (some call CYOP precision guided messages ‘PGMs’). We can target friendly or enemy soldiers and populations with equal ease. Plus, creativity is an emerging issue. Technologies offer the ability to update time tested PSYOP techniques with new applications not tried or tested. The cyber element enables traditional psychological operations (PSYOP) such as loudspeakers and leaflets to penetrate not just a few miles into enemy territory, but to intrude directly and pervasively into the local populations’ homes or across continents. The cyber element does so privately and quietly, invading not only computers and cell phones but the psychological well-being of the population as well. Local citizens on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli conflict are victims of an intense propaganda and counterpropaganda campaign, for the maintenance of public and international support. This article will investigate the emerging CYOP phenomena and its impact on the shape and outcome of future conflict. Please keep in mind this is an emerging and sensitive issue that is only beginning to be understood. Therefore, the issues presented represent only some initial thoughts and examples. Only further research will indicate how far this phenomenon has progressed and what eventual utility and capability it will offer future combatants. Developments For many years, at least until the late 1980s, PSYOP was usually associated with leaflets, rumors, loudspeakers, fake or gray news reporting, and deception. While the form of these old methods has 0 Winter 2007 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 2. REPORT TYPE 2007 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 00-00-2007 to 00-00-2007 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER Hezballah, Israel, and Cyber PSYOP 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Foreign Military Studies Office,Fort Leavenworth,KS,66027 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON unclassified unclassified unclassified 6 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 lived on into the cyber age, the methods frequency. The consequences are and range of distribution—as well as difficult to imagine. Are we to be the intended targets—have changed segregated into technological groups dramatically. New technologies have based on age if the report is correct? Will had totally unexpected consequences. some soldiers be able to hear a message With regard to general cyber and others won’t? Will this impact how technologies, one can recall the recent we construct forces? Further, can the August 2006 drinking incident involving sound be incorporated as a ring tone actor Mel Gibson. The drunken Gibson audible only to young people? uttered some ethnic slurs that a New York Similar developments are affecting media firm gave away as a cell phone the traditional PSYOP field dedicated ring tone, the latter a popular cyber to the use of leaflets and loudspeakers. technology. An even more infamous During the recent fighting in Lebanon, ring tone incident in 2004 involved the the site http://beirutspring.blogspot.com President of the Philippines. Again, reported that, in addition to the normal the incident speaks volumes about leaflet delivery “propaganda bombs,” unintended consequences of the cyber the Israeli’s were using “E-flets.” What Hizballah symbol. age. is an E-flet? It is a leaflet type message (Terrorist Knowledge Base.org) P h i l i p p i n e P r e s i d e n t G l o r i a that appears on the Internet, usually Macapagal Arroyo, running for reelection, through URL links to a website. In one was talking with Commissioner of case, a website gave the appearance fight. This means silent loudspeakers Elections Virgilio Garcillano in May of being Lebanese in content (a red, can potentially impact a campaign and be 2004, before the election results were green, and white Lebanese flag). It was delivered at continental distances from announced. Unaware the conversation accompanied by bombastic patriotic the fight. Further, specific cell phone was being tape recorded, she said “Hello statements to rise against Hezballah. towers can become pieces of “key mental Garci…will I win by one million votes?” But the site had a +881 satellite number terrain,” since some need to be left up When she found out that someone had to call instead of a Lebanese number, and operating to text key population recorded the phone call, Arroyo elements, while others can be shut declined to allow local media “News doesn’t always have to be fake down or destroyed. to play the tape. In turn the According to another report, to influence attitudes and behavior.” tape quickly made its way onto the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in activist websites and found use as a and the server name was reportedly Gaza are using similar phone messages. ring tone on cell phones, simply stating NS.BARAK.NET.IL. That is, this was The Jerusalem Post reported on 27 July “Hello Garci?” Thus, while shopping probably an Israeli site to which one that nearly 1,000 residents of Gaza had in Manila or sitting on a plane, people could call and report information. The listened to a recorded IDF message were soon bombarded with the “Hello site further guaranteed anonymity plus warning them not to harbor operatives Garci…” ring tone. a cash deal. or hide weapons. An Hamas government Government authorities said the The loudspeaker has also been spokesman stated the Israeli intent was to recording was made with an illegal wire technologically updated in ways never drive people from their homes, paralyze tap, and was doctored. Other authorities imagined. The days of shouting at the government, and demoralize the said it was part of a plot against the one another over cease fire lines or to population. president. On 28 June Arroyo admitted encourage one side to surrender still Rumors, another traditional PSYOP she had talked with Garcillano in a lapse exist, but these have been supplemented technique, are difficult to spread unless of judgment. Thus ring tones, now used by the silent loudspeaker—the text you understand how to get into a groups to embarrass people or to become a message. Text and voice mail messages mental “circle of influence.” In Lebanon medium for political message delivery, on mobile phones warned residents of much of the information digested by the may have unimaginable future uses as an Tyre in southern Lebanon to leave or risk general population comes from radio, TV attitude and behavior modifier. being killed. This means the message and newspaper reports. Taking a radio Another unintended use of a cell is precision guided, just like high-tech stations electronic broadcasts hostage phone may soon be tied to developments weaponry. Coalition forces reportedly and inserting one’s own messages is not with specific audible tones or frequencies. used the same method before their Match a difficult proposition in this day and age, Some websites advertise that a certain 2003 advance into Iraq. Their aim was and such activities occurred in Lebanon. frequency is usually not detectable to change the attitudes and behavior of One report in The Guardian noted that a to people over the age of 30, while Iraqi commanders by enticing them to local radio station “suddenly had reports those younger than 30 can hear the defect or simply to go home and not broadcast from the Israeli government’s 1 point of view.” Cell phone images from for a global audience to share firsthand goal by attacking Lebanon is pulling the “the street” also circulated and impacted reports, military strategies, propaganda trigger for another world war?” By not on the “circle of influence.” videos, and personal commentary about offering the same question with regard Gray or fake news can be inserted a violent conflict as it unfolds…It is to Hezballah, he clearly influenced quite easily in the cyber age. For a disorganized bazaar of images that attitudes and perhaps behavior in the example, mobile phones can be the requires visitors to search for a specific Arab world. medium through which to send regular topic; searches for both “Hezballah” and Terrorist Groups And messages—in the form of news updates— “Israel” yield hundreds of videos, some to discredit leaders or offer a different of them violently graphic, others not so Technology point of view on the fighting. Some serious.” Groups like Al-Qaeda and Hezballah mobile phone messages in Lebanon Naturally these videos could have were headlined with the title “news.” been produced with deception in mind. have developed CYOP of their own sort. But recipients did not find customary One is reminded of the Iraqi Army’s These groups try to change attitudes and news: instead they found news from 1991 Gulf War video, which showed a behaviors through intimidation, cyber the Israeli viewpoint. In addition, the sign posted outside a destroyed military fear, or outright racial or religious hatred. Israelis resurrected a Voice of Lebanon facility stating it was a “baby milk Of course their CYOP is not just aimed radio station on frequency 103.7 Mhz. factory.” Or, more likely, YouTube videos outward, but is internal as well. It often While not mentioned in the article, Voice can offer personal comments on the war targets the disaffected in the Middle of Lebanon’s reporting could easily be and an outpouring of the emotional rage East, attempting to recruitment those inserted into mobile phone messages, if people feel over what happens to them or who feel disenfranchised. Coalition the former is ever blocked. their families. Emotional videos with no forces have not done as well in efforts News doesn’t always have to be fake deception intended can also have strong to neutralize these terrorist/insurgent activities in Iraq and Afghanistan as one to influence attitudes and behavior, of psychological overtones. course. The Daily Star, a digital version According to Yonit Farago of www. would expect. US IO doctrine is weak of a Lebanese paper, had a few sentences timesonline.co.uk, there is also an intense (in fact, almost nonexistent) on the issue of counterpropaganda, and at the start of its paper that this is reflected in coalition “Hezbollah has demonstrated in its said “Help Lebanon. Send a letter to your government war with Israel that it can take technology operations. One journalist writes, “The Professors of representative. Download a sample letter.” The last from other countries, and quickly adapt it the University of Hezballah have just rocketed past all the sentence linked to the letter to the battlefield. theoretical thinkers at cushy and offered any Lebanese or foreign reader to download, fill in monitoring and counterpropaganda US war colleges.” Cyber operations have provided the blanks, and send the message to a campaign underway by Israeli supporters. congressman or parliamentarian. Special software termed “megaphone” is Al-Qaeda and Hezballah with their own While all the above elements used to alert Jewish students to anti- newspapers and distribution means— involve some sort of deception, this Israeli chat rooms or Internet polls. These and these means are becoming quite category merits further discussion. It students then attempt to influence the professional in appearance. A July 2006 is never clear at the start who is calling course of a debate or an opinion survey tape from Al-Qaeda leader Ayman alor who is posting a news bulletin. Only by marshalling friends and supporters Zawahiri had a semi-professional look after the fact is it possible to sit back to take part. This allows a place where as if it was produced by a CNN affiliate. and consider what just occurred. Then “networks of US and European groups In the background are huge photos and one’s own sense of reality—based on with hundreds of thousands of Jewish stage lights, and it appears that Zawahiri experience and common sense—must activists can place supportive messages.” is reading from signs or perhaps even a prevail and offer a “best guess” of what The Israeli government is supportive Teleprompter. Al-Qaeda’s personal news the recipient believes. Furthering this of this effort. According to Farago, studio, As-Sahab, produced the video. movement into the unknown are websites diplomat trainees have been ordered to The result is that Zawahiri appears to be speaking from a position of authority like YouTube, where people can post track websites and chat rooms. their own videos. People are often I r a n i a n P r e s i d e n t M a h m o u d simply based on the environment created swayed by visuals: they can seem more Ahmadinejad developed his own strategic for his talk. The context is a far cry from real than mere words. Many individuals counterpropaganda campaign. He being filmed in a cave with a rifle at the have posted their personal videos of the opened a blog site when the Hezbollah- ready, as he was in the early days of fighting in Lebanon and other areas. As Israeli fighting ended, asking readers his retreat into geographical obscurity. one source noted: “In a matter of weeks, (they could vote yes or no) “do you However, the cyber age ensures no one YouTube has become a video trash bin think the US and Israeli intention and is ever really obscure if they don’t want 2 Winter 2007 to be. A video camera and outlet for the recording is all that is required. Terrorists have as much access to Internet voice technology as anyone else in the world. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) “allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line.” Some services let you call anyone with a phone number, whether local or long distance. This makes it much harder to find and track terrorist cells. In the war with Israel, Hezballah demonstrated they can take technology from other countries and quickly adapt it to the battlefield. On 7 August 2006, the Israelis shot down a terrorist operated reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Utilization of these technological advances makes Hezballah appear stronger than it actually might be, which is another psychological aspect of technology. Cyber mobilization and attacks on attitudes don’t stop at the US border, either. According to the website of Laura Mansfield, who has appeared on CNN with Anderson Cooper, several sites on MySpace advocate jihadist activities. This enables terrorist groups to write their own E-flets against US targets. More dramatic was the discovery made by the private Illinois group called the Society for Internet Research in August. The group noted Web site Al-Manar (outlawed in the US) made a stopover in Austin, Texas during the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict. When Israeli warplanes bombed its facilities in Lebanon, Al-Manar set up shop on Austin’s Broadwing Communications servers. Finally, on 11 August a jihadist website posted the following message: “The Global Media: A Work Paper for Invading the US Media, Prepared by Najd al-Rawi.” The message explains how to do this work and what tools to use. Analyst Ben Venske notes jihadi videos are another terrorist favorite. They are used for several specific purposes instead of the “organized bazaar” represented by YouTube. These are: as instructional material, to make Traditional media delivery. (Defense Link) statements, to produce tributes to suicide bombers, to highlight operations, and to produce internal training videos among other uses. As a result such videos, especially those produced on hostage situations or operational successes, produce a type of followon psychological attack. Again, in the cyber age, the unintended mental (stress, fear, etc.) consequences of videos and technologies (text messaging) could also be termed follow-on CYOP attacks. The Hezballah Central Internet Bureau has reportedly taken the video issue a step further. It has developed the video game “Special Forces” that places contestants in operations against Israel. The game praises martyrs, and credits those who shoot Israeli politicians and others. However, there are also reports, of Christian digital games in which soldiers either “save” or kill an opponent. Two points are awarded for a save and one point for a kill. It seems such games will have an impact on young people’s attitudes and behavior on both sides, as they become morally disengaged from their physical versus their virtual realities. or some other method, especially those of the non-lethal variety. The Russians have been leaders in this category. Analyst S. P. Rastorguyev, for example, began writing openly about this subject in the 1990s at the behest of the Russian Security Council. His task was to develop algorithms that would put suggestive influences into human heads via words or sound. These influences were known as “psycho viruses.” Other writers, both in China and Russia, have discussed putting frequencies into computer programs or conducting other activities that would affect the “headware” (neurons) of a user. In the journal Contemporary Navy, the Chinese described efforts at conducting mind control, using telepathy, and using secondary sound waves in the 3-17 Hz range, that allegedly shut down a human’s ability to function. This article also described use of blinding lasers, weapons of sound, holograms, and “camouflage by transfiguration.” Elements of this type of CYOP (especially the use of a sound wave weapon) would be instantly debilitating. They would challenge your ability to continue functioning as a human. Hard Versus Soft CYOP The use of CYOP may soon enter the phase of hard CYOP. Hard CYOP refers to the development and implementation of ways to not just affect attitudes and behaviors, but to shut down the brain via some means—frequencies, chemicals, Conclusions The age of CYOP is upon us. Now silent loudspeakers disguised as cell phones, PDAs, and mp3 players reside in our pockets. A recorded call on Lebanese telephones these days is “Hasan, have  you realized yet that the Israeli army is Teenagers, those most intimate with spam type messages reach us quite not as delicate as a spider’s web? It’s a cyber technology, will be as affected—if easily from home and abroad, and web of steel that will strangle you!” The not more so—than their elders in a cyber luckily these are only soft “ad attack” intended recipient is not just the Lebanese environment. Middle aged and senior CYOP. Will hard CYOP be able one people but the leader of Hezballah, Sheik citizens, more skeptical and analytical day to reach us as easily? Terrorist Hasan Nasrallah. CYOP has also shown based on a lifetime of exposure and groups have no moral dilemma using up on Lebanese TVs where purportedly familiarity with deceptive techniques, hard (frequency generated) messages. Israeli hackers are putting out warnings will still require the more immature but The Russian fear that researchers are reading “Hezballah members beware!” technologically advanced teenager to intent on finding ways to control human The CYOP impact on future war is interpret meanings and impacts—much consciousness may be just around the clearer now, since we are able to watch like a translator. Cyber language and corner, if the terrorists have a say in the and evaluate it as it unfolds in all shapes techniques are confusing and a difficult matter. Technological developments are and sizes in Lebanon, Afghanistan, and medium in which to stay current. For moving that fast, and may contain several Iraq. If these wars are any indicator, example, teenagers cruise through blogs unintended consequences, beyond those future wars will be personal, deceptive, and sites like Zone-H, Digg This (or just that have already surprised us. civil-military, and involve worldwide Digg), Little Green Footballs, MySpace, The general population is not only a recruitment. All of these items will FaceBook, and technorati with abandon. favorite target of CYOP, but has become be managed and performed by cyber Such sites provide a very different a self-generator or CYOP participant e l e m e n t s . Ye l l o w as well. For example, journalism may also a subscriber recently become a real threat. used Google Earth to The website Little document military Green Footballs recently actions on both sides demonstrated how a of the Israeli-Lebanese Reuter’s reporter had border. The subscriber’s manipulated images of maps provided an his photo reports from instantaneous photo the field. Photographer montage of potential Adnan Hajj had virtually military strategies, enhanced and pasted acting as an intelligence (using Photoshop) a source for groups without plume of smoke with satellite capabilities. As concentric circles, making one description of the it appear to come from a site noted, it contained building destroyed by an “details on the action Israeli airstrike. Hajj was which occurred at the dismissed by Reuters and location and the casualties all of his 920 photos were Young and blog-savvy: the face of the CYOP generation. (Defense Link) or damage resulting, and removed from Reuter’s allows you to view the database. insight into a conflict than newspapers aerial photos and see what it looked We are also able to do something or TV. Online populations can actually like before the conflict.” No current else in the cyber environment—evaluate interact with the populace of the other newspaper or TV report can currently the consequences. This is because side in a conflict. There are also growing replicate this type of updated, constantly recipients of the CYOP messages often instances of media and Internet stardom reviewable data, conducted at one’s own provide their reactions either in online that we must monitor for deception. pace—although news outlets are moving blogs or in personal Internet interviews. These are situations where it appears the in this direction. One thing is very clear: CYOP is not reporter’s name and the virtual images CYOP can produce other only personal—but persuasive in new he/she is reporting are the center of psychological impacts as well. Not all ways—some more powerful than any attention, at the expense of the tragedy of them are as neutral as Google Earth. earlier PSYOP attempts. CYOP strikes and its victims. Of greatest concern are hate propaganda, raw nerves in a different way than a We must develop ways to recognize calls to arms and cyber mobilization. leaflet, due to its targeting precision with new CYOP techniques as they arise, Of lesser but still notable concern all forms of communications—auditory, and monitor the consequences they is the impact of Internet-generated visual, and print. CYOP appears to be a bring with them. We must remain cyber fear. Gabriel Weimann, one very invasive form of PSYOP that allows vigilant in particular for hard CYOP of the most prolific and well-known no mental sanctuary. developments. Today Viagra and other authors on the terrorist use of the  Winter 2007 Internet, has noted with regard to the cyber age that “From a psychological perspective, two of the greatest fears of modern times are combined in the term “cyberterrorism.” The fear of random, violent victimization blends well with the distrust and outright fear of computer technology. An unknown threat is perceived as more threatening than a known threat. Although cyberterrorism does not entail a direct threat of violence, its psychological impact on anxious societies can be as powerful as the threat of terrorist bombs. We m u s t f o l l o w t h e C Y O P phenomenon as it picks up momentum. Groups will initiate new and varied techniques, and everyone must be on guard to counter the unexpected. E-flets, silent loudspeakers, Google Earth, ring tones, and YouTube represent only the start of this phenomenon. Traditional PSYOP personnel will play a key role in uncovering the advantages offered by these technological advances, and then must creatively apply counters to them in warfare. CYOP can be private, silent, deceptive, intercontinental, and as full of hatred and prejudice as the initiator wants it to be—and all are issues that should concern us. Notes 1 7 Lysandra Ohrstrom, “Mobile Phones Play Key Role in Lebanon War,” Daily Star, 16 August 2006, from The Information Operations Newsletter, Jeff Harley editor, Vol 6, No 18 (11-21 August 2006) 2 “Sign of the Times,” Kansas City Star, 4 August 2006, p. C1 (located in the header on the page). 3 Dave Pugh, “Ring-Tone Revolution in the Philippines,” http://mrzine. monthlyreview.org/pugh230705.html, downloaded on 31 July 2006. 4 Sarah Toms, “Philippine Tape in Ringtone Craze,” BBC News, downloaded from news.bbc.co.uk on 31 July 2006. 5 Pugh. 6 Google search Mosquito, adult-proof, and silent ringtones to read the positive and negative potential of this idea. “Israeli E-leaflets,” downloaded from http://beirutspring.blogspot.com, 24 July 2006. 8 Clancy Chassay, “Info War Goes Personal with Voicemail and Text Message,” The Guardian, 24 July 2006. 9 Associated Press, “New IDF Tactic: the Phone Call,” The Jerusalem Post, 27 July 2006. 10 Chassay. 11 Ibid. 12 The Daily Star, 1 August 2006, downloaded from www.daily star.com.lb. 13 Sara Kehaulani Goo, “Videos about Mideast conflict now appearing on Internet site,” The Kansas City Star, 26 July 2006, p. A12. 14 Jonit Farago, “Israel Backed by Army of Cybersoldiers,” www.timesonline. co.uk, downloaded on 31 July 2006. 15 Ibid. 16 “Doing His Blog: Populist President Goes Online,” The Guardian, 15 Aug 06, downloaded from www.smh.com.au. 17 John E. Carey, “Hezballah is Way Ahead. Again,” Peace Journalism, 17 Aug 06, downloaded from peacejournalism. com. 18 Information accessed at http://www. fcc.gov/voip and downloaded on 9 August 2006. 19 CNN TV, 8 August 2006. 20 See http://blog.lauramansfield. com/2006/05/18/teen-terror-on-theweb-jihadi-and-islamist-activi... 21 Todd Bensman, “Hezballah Web Site Booted in Austin,” Express-News Staff Writer, downloaded from www. freerepublic.com 22 “Global Islamic Media Front Discusses Plan for Penetrating US Media,” OSC Report in Arabic, 23 August 2006, contained in an e-mail to the author from FMSO analyst Kevin Freese. 23 Ben Venske, “Evolution of Jihadi Video (EJV) V1.0,” Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 50-51. 24 The game is offered at its own website, at http://www.specialforce.net/english/ indexeng.htm. 25 Author’s meeting with S. P. Rastorguyev at a conference in Moscow, 1997. 26 Associated Press, “This is the beginning of the cellular phone war,” Ha’aretz, 8 August 2006. 27 Ibid. 28 Website for Little Green Footballs, www.littlegreenfootballs.com, accessed on 7 August 2006. 29 “Reuters Says Mideast Photographer Doctored Shots,” www.cnn.com, accessed on 8 August 2006. 30 http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/ archives/2006/07/israellebanon_c.html, Google Earth, posted by Frank Taylor 21 July 2006. 31 Gabriel Weimann, Terror on the Internet, US Institute of Peace, 2006, p. 150. Tim Thomas, LTC, US Army, Retired, served as a Soviet/Russian Foreign Area Officer. His assignments include brigade S-2 and company commander in the 82d Airborne Division, and the Army Russian Institute. He has done extensive research and publishing in the areas of peacekeeping, IO, and PSYOP. He currently serves as a Senior Analyst in the Foreign Military Studies Office, Ft Leavenworth. He holds a BS from West Point, and Master of Arts from USC.